Staff shortages across the hospitality space have been a persistent issue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of temporary visa holders, many from the hospitality industry, left Australia and have not yet returned.
Sydney restaurateur, Bill Drakopoulos, who owns The Fenwick, said he has started to knock back some reservations due to shortages. Photo: Steven Siewert.
“I could probably do with another 70 staff,” Mr Drakopoulos, who owns Sydney venues such as Ripples, The Fenwick and Ormeggio, told the newspapers. “It’s still pretty tough.”
Mr Drakopoulos said he’s started scouting overseas for front-of-house and back-of-house staff in response.
It’s been a slow process so far and he’s been forced to limit the number of bookings at some restaurants to ensure they had sufficient staff to serve customers.
Greek Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, met on the sidelines of the extraordinary NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
According to Protothema, the Ministers stressed the importance of reducing tensions and consolidating a security climate in the Eastern Mediterranean, based on the rules of international law and the principle of good neighbourliness.
Η μείωση της έντασης στην #Ανατολική_Μεσόγειο αλλά και η πραγματοποίηση συνάντησης για ΜΟΕ, ήταν στην ατζέντα της συνάντησής μου με τον Τούρκο ομόλογό μου κ. Χουλουσί Ακάρ στο περιθώριο της Έκτακτης Υπουργικής Συνόδου των ΥΠΑΜ του @NATO στις Βρυξέλλες.https://t.co/ohQxktU5kipic.twitter.com/IvuPJXrb8I
In this context, it was agreed to meet in the future for talks on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).
The meeting between the Defence Ministers came just a few days after the lunch between Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Constantinople.
Diplomatic sources have told Ekathimerini that the Greek Consul General in Mariupol, Manolis Androulakis, has reached the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday.
The Consul will spend the night in the south-eastern city as there is an ongoing curfew.
The operation to evacuate Androulakis, alongside members from the local Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) office and their families, has been underway since Tuesday afternoon.
Ukraine’s President calls on US to do more in Congress address:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to members of the US Congress by video link to plead for support as his country is besieged by Russian forces. Photo: AP / J. Scott Applewhite.
This evacuation effort comes as Russian forces continue to rain fire on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other major cities in a bid to crush resistance.
In the encircled seaport of Mariupol, where there is a large ethnic Greek population, a Russian airstrike has also destroyed a theatre building where hundreds of people were sheltering. There was no immediate word on deaths or injuries.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to the US Congress to do more to help Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Destruction in Ukraine. Photo: Oleksandr Lapshyn / Reuters.
Live streamed into the Capitol complex, Zelenskyy cited Pearl Harbour and the terror attacks of September 11 during his appeal and showed an emotional video of the destruction his country has suffered in the war.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has announced 1.1 billion euros in targeted measures to support 3.2 million low-income Greek households.
The announcement came during a televised address to the nation on Wednesday night.
“The measures will address all manifestations of price increases. Supporting the income of lower-income workers and pensioners with an emergency subsidy,” Mitsotakis said during his address.
Προχωράμε σε ένα τρίμηνο πρόγραμμα πρόσθετων ενισχύσεων. Τα μέτρα αυτά απευθύνονται στους πιο αδύναμους και στη μεσαία τάξη. Μελετημένες παρεμβάσεις ύψους €1,1 δισ. που θα ανακουφίσουν 3,2 εκατομμύρια ευάλωτους πολίτες, αλλά και τα νοικοκυριά με ετήσιο εισόδημα έως €30.000.
Mitsotakis explained the government will also be supporting families with children who faced increased expenditures, “generously subsidising energy bills” and “partially absorbing increases in fuel prices by covering 180 litres of petrol for vehicles.”
Special provisions for farmers and small businesses, who have been particularly hit by increased energy prices, will also be provided by the Mitsotakis government.
Mitsotakis also stated that the Single Property Tax (ENFIA) will be reduced and that the Greek national minimum wage is set to increase.
The Greek ministers of Finance, Energy and Agriculture will each announce a three-month emergency spending program to further support the Greek economy.
This all comes in the context of the government’s running support initiative which has already seen some 2.6 billion euros in state funds so far funnelled towards tackling the energy crisis.
Detective Superintendent Arthur Kopsias APM, registered number 18141, joined the NSW Police Force on 17 April 1978, commencing his career by marching in at the Redfern Police Academy as class 159.
Athanasios Kopsias was born in Sparti, Greece, migrating to Australia with his parents in 1960 where he lived in Surry Hills and Redfern during his childhood and schooling years.
He was attested as a Probationary Constable on 26 June 1978 and completed his secondary training working general duties at Maroubra Police Station. He transferred to criminal investigation duties where he performed training at No 21 Division – Criminal Investigation Branch and the Gaming Squad, as well as at Waverley, Randwick, Mascot and Rose Bay Police Stations. He successfully obtained his designation as a Detective in 1983.
From 1984 to 1996 he worked with the Internal Affairs Branch, State Intelligence/Investigation, Legal Services, Region Operations and Special Projects in many varied roles and in particular the investigation, arrest and prosecution of offenders for serious and major criminal offences.
In 1990, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant where he was working at the Legal Services Branch as the Commissioner’s Advocate involving Promotion Appeals at the Government and Related Appeals Tribunal (GREAT).
In 1993, he was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and consequently in 1995, attained his legal practising certificate at the College of Law where he used his legal skills within the organisation and whilst seconded to the Wood Royal Commission into the NSW Police and the Police Integrity Commission involving allegations of serious crime and corruption by police officers.
In 1995, he was promoted to Detective Inspector of the Special Projects Unit – State Investigative Group (Region Support). He was responsible for the implementation of a number of significant recommendations handed down from the Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service, namely the reform of criminal investigation practices, evidence and procedures which brought about many important and improved changes for the NSW Police.
In 1999, he was promoted to Chief Inspector where he took Command of the Telephone Interception Branch, under the Special Services Group. In 2006, he was promoted to Superintendent at the Telecommunications Interception Branch. At the time he also performed duties as the Commander Eastwood and Glebe/Leichhardt commands respectively.
As the head of profession in telecommunications interception, he represented the NSW Police on many national and technical committees involving State-based, Territory and National Law Enforcement and Security Agencies and the Telecommunications Carrier industry which were administered by the Cth Attorney General’s Department and later the Department of Home Affairs. It was here behind the scene where countless polices were set, laws were reformed, and the technical and investigative capability of agencies were bolstered in order to enhance their electronic evidence gathering capacity to more effectively combat serious crime.
During his career he has been awarded several Commissioner’s citations and Commander’s commendations and recognitions for his investigative work, integrity, leadership and as head of profession.
In 2019, he was appointed The Commander High Tech Crime Branch under the Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command.
Detective Superintendent KopsiasAPMwas formally recognised with the following awards:
National Medal
NSW Police Medal
1st clasp to NSW Police Medal
2nd Clasp to NSW Police Medal
3rd Clasp to NSW Police Medal
Australian Police Medal
1st Clasp to National Medal
National Police Service Medal
1st Clasp to National Police Service Medal
4th Clasp to NSW Police Medal
2nd Clasp National Medal
5th clasp NSW Police Medal
6th clasp to the NSW Police Medal
Two Commissioners Citation and Commendation Awards
Two Commanders Commendation Awards
Commissioners Emergency Commendation
On 4 March 2022, 191 police trainees from class 351 marched into the NSW Police and were attested as probationary constables. On this same day, Detective Superintendent Arthur Kopsias APM marched out from the Goulburn Police Academy as a retired officer closing this chapter of his life.
He proudly and diligently served the NSW Police Force and the community of NSW for over 43 years. His integrity, professionalism and exceptionally hard work will remain a testament of inspiration for others to follow. He will be missed by his colleagues but his legacies will always be remembered.
His wife Tina, daughters and sons in laws De’Anna and Paul, Kristina and Hani, and relatives and friends were there to celebrate this momentous occasion. On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, Vicar of the Greek Archdiocese Canberra, attended the Academy to bless and praise respects and congratulations for such an important milestone to a long serving and high ranking Greek police officer.
He will now commence the next chapter in his life.
The Hellenic Museum Ladies’ Society marked International Women’s Day (IWD) on Friday, March 11 at the Hellenic Museum.
The CEO & Head of Curation of the Hellenic Museum, Sarah Craig, addressed guests at the sold-out event and spoke to the Museum’s aspiration to become a leader in innovative arts and culture experiences for students.
“We look to provide education for a new age of learners whose attention is ever-diverted and to make them feel at home in the kind of institution that historically has not been inclusive…” Ms Craig said.
“We require an education offering that, yes, teaches in the traditional sense, but does not impart knowledge in a one-way, teacher-student paradigm.
“We want to encourage and facilitate two-way dialogue, where learners are in a conversation with us and our collections – we want them to question and challenge what they are being told, critically assessing the sources of the information being imparted to them. In short, we want to create experiences where young people can become thinkers.”
Two cornerstones of the Hellenic Museum’s multifaceted approach to education were available for guests to experience on the day: virtual reality and object-based handling. Both of these experiences focus on bringing history to life in a way that is tangible for learners.
The virtual reality experience provided by Hellenic Museum Education Partner, Lithodomos VR, allowed visitors to walk through the site of Ancient Delphi and experience the ancient religious site as if they were an ancient Greek.
Object-based handling allowed guests to touch ancient artefacts and as Ms Craig said on the day, “by holding history in the palm of your hand” this enriched their study of past peoples.
Overall, the Hellenic Museum focused on education during the IWD event as “it is largely through women that we maintain our connection to our history, just as it is through women that we foster the next generation, and today, it is with women that we celebrate our important institution and look forward to the work yet to be done with your contributions being central to this vision.”
Guests were able to contribute to the Hellenic Museum’s education endeavours by joining as Hellenic Museum Ladies’ Society Patron or making a different donation.
The Hellenic Museum thanked all guests and sponsors for their support of the luncheon and said it looks forward to future Hellenic Museum Ladies’ Society events.
Queries about the Hellenic Museum Ladies’ Society can be directed to the Hellenic Museum’s Development & Partnerships Manager, Maria Halkias, maria.halkias@hellenic.org.au.
In 1989, she applied for her adoption records and obtained what she thought was the name of her biological mother.
Penny spent the next two decades getting to know and love the woman until gnawing doubts saw her take a DNA test which revealed they weren’t actually related.
Adoption Information Services then connected Penny with her real biological mother – an elderly Greek woman.
On Tuesday, after a 15-minute hearing in the Victorian county court, Penny was able to correct her birth records and include her Greek mother’s name.
“It feels like this is the first day of the rest of my life. I feel much more optimistic and I feel freer – this is who I am,” Penny said after the verdict, according to The Guardian.
Penny is now set to visit Greece for the first time in July but she will not meet her biological mother as “she said she doesn’t want contact.”
The Victorian Government has unveiled the designs for a new gallery which has been labelled Melbourne’s answer to the Eiffel Tower.
The winning design for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Contemporary was put forward by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, and will feature 13,000 square metres of display space and a rooftop terrace with views of the Melbourne CBD.
Lead architect, Angelo Candalepas, said the design aims to “engage in the imagination for the benefit of everyone in the world.”
“This project signals Australia as a great contemporary nation with a significant creative force,” Mr Candalepas added.
“This building will be a beacon of the culture of our time.”
Victoria’s Creative Industries Minister, Danny Pearson, said the gallery would attract one million visitors from outside the state each year after opening to the public in 2028.
The NGV Contemporary will be situated beside the existing National Gallery of Victoria building as the centrepiece of a $1.7 billion investment in the Southbank arts and culture precinct.
One of Australia’s top defamation barristers, Sue Chrysanthou SC, has slammed the Federal Government’s proposed anti-trolling legislation as a ‘violent assault’ on defamation law that risked leaving victims worse off.
Speaking before a Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee hearing on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Chrysanthou said the proposed Social Media (Anti-Trolling) Bill 2022 is “misconceived and should not proceed.”
She added that the Bill does nothing to address online abuse or trolling, and is an attempt to remove the liability held by owners of social media pages for any defamatory materials posted on those pages.
If passed, the Bill would also create the requirement for social media companies to identify people if they post potentially defamatory material.
Ms Chrysanthou said “countless experts, including professors of law expert in defamation, oppose this legislation” and she encouraged the Federal Government to listen to these experts.
“The government should listen to these experts and work with them to draft a new bill that covers the field of defamation and strikes a balance between all of the competing interests,” she said.
A 25-year contract, which was originally sold by developer Meriton and gave another company exclusive rights for property management in one of their apartment complexes, has been cancelled by a NSW tribunal.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), this contract saw apartment owners at Acacia Gardens in Ultimo locked out of the complex’s reception area and unable to access their keys, CCTV cameras or even security control systems. Security guards were also hired to prevent them from attending a critical AGM to discuss the issues.
But in a landmark ruling at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), Senior Member Graham Ellis SC ruled that the contract with Central Sydney Realty (CSR) was harsh, oppressive, unconscionable or unreasonable, and would therefore be terminated.
Acacia Gardens apartment complex in Ultimo.
Nick Eltis, an Acacia Gardens apartment owner and secretary of the strata committee, told the SMH that he hopes this verdict will set a precedent that will help other apartment dwellers in a similar position.
“It’s been a very long road to get to the end of all this,” Nick Eltis said. “It’s been very stressful.”
“We are looking forward to moving ahead and getting our lives back to normal… We hope the precedent will make it better for other buildings and help the broader community.”
The management company, CSR, is now appealing the NCAT decision. The hearing is set for June.
